The head of Britain’s MI6 intelligence service visited Cyprus and met with President Nikos Christodoulides for talks on the regional situation, the island’s deputy government spokesman said on Friday.
Yiannis Antoniou told SKAI television that the meeting involved “an exchange of positions and information on the situation prevailing in the region over the past few days,” adding that the president was in communication with both the British Bases and the British prime minister.
Antoniou suggested the visit may have been pre-arranged but acknowledged its relevance to current events. “The meeting may have been scheduled and coincided with this situation, but I believe there is a connection around it,” he said.
The deputy spokesman moved to reassure the public that Cyprus was not on a war footing, saying the island’s air defences were operating at maximum readiness.
“Right now, the impression must not be given that Cyprus is experiencing wartime conditions. We are in a state of heightened alert,” he said.
Read more: